Missy Rosenberry: Pack in as much fun as possible this summer

That's especially true here in upstate New York. Good weather up here is in short supply, so when we do have a few months of pleasant temperatures and abundant sunshine, we pack in as much fun as possible.

We don't even wait until it's officially summer. Outdoor events begin the first week of June. Then, pretty much every night of the week, you'll find a lawn-chair-and-cooler event either in your town or nearby.

There are sidewalk fairs and movies in the park. There are village festivals and fireworks. There are kiddie parades and firemen's parades.

And boy, is there music.

Every one of our east-side towns has summer concerts. Bands play in parking lots, amphitheaters and gazebos. And there's enough variety to keep your toes tappin' no matter what your musical tastes are.

The newest entry into the summer village music scene is the inaugural Webster Folk Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 3. It will feature food and craft vendors, an instrument "petting zoo" and workshops, and eight nonstop hours of entertainment from more than a dozen folk groups and musicians.

"Yes, there's a lot of music in Webster, and that's a good thing," Wyble said. "But most of the time listening to music is a passive experience. You sit and listen, hopefully you enjoy it, and then you go home."

He continued: "A festival is an active experience. You can sit and listen to the music, but you can also bring your own instrument and go to the jam tent and actually play with some of the performers, or sit in a workshop and learn from a master, or just sit someplace and play with a few friends.

"The Webster Folk Festival will offer a taste of all these."

So basically it's a lawn-chair-and-cooler-AND-instrument event.

More summertime fun in the sun

The Fourth of July is a natural excuse for towns to pull out all the summer entertainment stops, so keep tabs on your town's Facebook pages and websites for fireworks and festival schedules.

Penfield's celebration will take place Saturday, June 29, starting with a parade (complete with floats) beginning at 10 a.m. The music and merriment continue at Harris Whalen Park at 5 p.m. with a bounce house, food vendors and entertainment, followed by fireworks at 10 p.m. For more information, go to www.penfield.org.

The Victor Parks and Recreation Department has a super summertime activity for kids. Their fourth annual Gone Fishin' Fishing Derby is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29, at the Victor Municipal Park Pond.

This free event is for kids ages 5-12, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are asked to bring their own poles if they have them, though bait will be provided. Prizes and trophies will be had by all.